2006 Thomas Built Buses C2 problems

What is wrong

Daimler trucks is recalling 1,419 my 2006 through 2008 thomas built school buses and recreational vehicle chassis manufactured between march 7, 2005 and may 27, 2008, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

Risk

The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Remedy

Thomas built is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1‑818‑267‑3000 or thomas built 1‑336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 08V430000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Daimler trucks is recalling 2,250 my 2006 and 2007 thomas built minotour, fs65, c2, hdx, and mvp ef school buses and recreational vehicle chassis manufactured between march 9, 2005 and february 23, 2007, equipped with ricon s or k series wheelchair lifts. The anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift which fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles."

Risk

A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

Remedy

Daimler trucks is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts (please see 07e097). The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact ricon at 1‑800‑322‑2884 or thomas built at 1‑336‑889‑4871.

Recall number 08V432000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain my 2006 and 2007 thomas built minotour, fs-65, c2, hdx, and ef school buses manufactured between january 6 and september 6, 2006, equipped with ricon wheelchair platform lift models s2003, s2005, s2010, s5503, s5505, s5510, k2003, k2005, k2010, k5503, k5505, k5510. The lifts interlock switch system may not detect the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on the platform lift which fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, platform lift systems for motor vehicles.

Risk

The defect involves the interlock switch system in the lift not detecting the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on the ricon wheelchair platform lift. In the event this condition occurs during passenger operations it may be possible for the wheelchair to tip backwards onto the platform when the platform was lowered. This could result in injury to the wheelchair's occupant. Also, anyone standing on the platform could lose his or her balance and fall, resulting in injury.

Remedy

Freightliner will notify owners and will repair the affected buses free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on august 6, 2007. Owners can contact freightliner's customer assistance center at 800‑385‑4357 or contact ricon at 800‑322‑2884.

Recall number 07V135000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain thomas built 2006 and 2007 c2 school buses manufactured between december 21, 2005, and september 4, 2006. The inlet air fitting welded to the base plate was manufactured inconsistently, possibly allowing the fitting to separate. Separation of the inlet fitting will prevent the actuating air from powering the crossing arm and may not deploy.

Risk

A non-deploying crossing arm allows some student passengers to not be visible to the driver as they cross in front of the bus during pick-up or discharge, present a risk to them.

Remedy

Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. The recall began on january 28, 2007. Owners may call thomas built at 336‑889‑4871 or contact freightliner at 800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 07V002000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain thomas built 2006 and 2007 c2 school buses manufactured between december 21, 2005, and september 4, 2006. The stop arm may not deploy.

Risk

A non-deploying stop arm may encourage motorists to pass the school bus during pick-up or discharge of children, possibly resulting in serious injury.

Remedy

Thomas built will notify owners and repair the buses free of charge. The recall will begin on march 29, 2007. Owners may call thomas built at 336‑889‑4871 or owners may contact freightliner at 800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 06V496000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain my 2004-2006 freightliner custom chassis b2 school buses and thomas built c2 school buses built with air or hydraulic brakes with a one valve park brake system and park brake release interlock manufactured between june 17, 2004, and february 20, 2006. At higher vehicle loads, the parking brakes may not fully apply.

Risk

A bus may roll if the driver releases the service brakes before the parking brakes fully apply, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash or injure passengers entering or leaving the bus.

Remedy

Freightliner will notify owners and repair the park brake free of charge. The recall began on may 12, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 06V085000 · Recall details

ODI received a complaint regarding a corroded battery post located behind a service panel near the driver's seat on a 2006 Thomas Built C2 school bus that resulted in a fire on the vehicle.It was determined that like buses built prior to a December 26, 2005 design change which added a flange to the lower edge of the panel were susceptible to water intrusion.The design change was meant to address concerns of loose panels but consequently prevented water ingress and the subject corrosion. Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on October 18, 2011 involving 3,300 of the estimated 6,139 vehicles subject to this investigation.In subsequent communication with ODI, DTNA explained that nearly two thirds of 4,773 MY2007 vehicles were built with the December 26 design change and therefore do not contain the safety related defect.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall on this matter, and subsequent explanation of the scope of vehicles involved, addresses ODI's concerns.The 573 letter was received prior to the due date of the IR response, therefore DTNA has been relieved from having to submit an IR response.DTNA will inspect, clean, repair and protect power cables as needed.The subject vehicles have been recalled and this investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) number: 10395455

PE11031

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a complaint alleging brake fluid loss caused by a ruptured brake line that had chafed against a wire harness in the engine compartment of the complainant?s vehicle.It was determined that the chafing was caused by contact between the convoluted tubing covering the fuel supply line and the metal brake lines.This issue only affects units with a Caterpillar (CAT) C7 engine and a fuel water separator mounted in a specific location on the frame rail.Not all units with CAT engines were equipped with fuel water separators, but all units with CAT engines and a fuel water separator have them mounted in the same location.Units with other engines have a different fuel supply line routing and are not affected by this defect.Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) submitted a recall notice on 18 October 2011 involving seven-hundred (700) model year (MY) 2005-2009 vehicles.In its notice, DTNA provided an explanation that MY2010 vehicles were not built with CAT C7 engines and, that of the model years that were built with C7 engines, only 700 had fuel water separators.All 700 such vehicles are included in this recall.DTNA's announcement of a safety recall addresses ODI's concerns.The recall remedy involves replacement of any damaged brake lines and rerouting as needed.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) number: 10383939

PE11032